News

The co-chairman of the Conservative Party has denied being responsible for comments describing grassroots activists as "swivel-eyed loons" and condemned false rumours which have circulated on the internet. Lord Feldman says he is taking legal after being wrongly linked to the remarks.

There is speculation on the internet and on Twitter that the senior Conservative Party figure claimed to have made derogatory comments by the Times and the Telegraph is me.

This is completely untrue. I would like to make it quite clear that I did not nor have ever described our associations in this way or in any similar manner. Nor do these alleged comments represent my view of our activists.

On the contrary in the last eight years of working for the party, I have found them to be hard working, committed and reasonable people. They are without question the backbone of the party.

I am very disappointed by the behaviour of the journalists involved, who have allowed rumour and innuendo to take hold by not putting these allegations to me before publication. I am taking legal advice.

• Politics
• Conservatives

Responding to a union leader's description of him as a "fanatical personal trainer," Mr Gove said: "You'd have to be a fanatical personal trainer to want to take me on".

Read: Union: Michael Gove like a 'fanatical personal trainer'

• Education
• Michael Gove

Education Secretary Michael Gove got the first round of applause of his address to the NAHT conference when he said he is "having second thoughts" about his plans for overhauling the teaching of history of schools.

He said he still wanted there to be an emphasis on "chronology" and "understanding narrative of this country," but that he did not want only British history to be taught, as some believe.

• Education
• Michael Gove

We need to raise standards so we have an education system that is on a par with the world's best.

Our academies programme is turning around hundreds of underperforming schools, we are introducing a world class curriculum and our reforms to exams will create qualifications that will keep pace with the demands of universities and employers. Surely this is something the NAHT should be supporting.

We will not stand by when schools are failing our children. Sponsored academies are turning around hundreds of underperforming schools and ensuring pupils are given every chance to fulfil their potential.

• Education
• Michael Gove

Speaking to ITV News, Chloe's grandparents, April and Gordon said they couldn't understand why there weren't lifeguards on duty who could have pulled her from the water.

• World
• Egypt
• Sharm el-Sheik

A band of substantial, heavy rain will affect the far north of England, the Isle of Man, parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. With several hours of cloudy, wet weather it will be chilly for the time of year - but the rain will tend to ease becoming light and patchy later.

Elsewhere there will be plenty of cloud with the best of the temperatures in the sunshine further south with highs of 18 possible.

• UK

• World
• Pope Francis
• Germany

The UK is the joint second-most successful country in the contest with Sweden, France and Luxembourg. Ireland is the most successful with a total of seven wins.

• Won the competition five times (1997, 1981, 1976, 1969 and 1967)
• Finished second place 15 times
• Finished last in 2003, 2008 and 2010
• Competed every year since 1957
• Hosted the competition eight times

Source: Eurovision

• Entertainment
• Eurovision

One of David Beckham's main sponsors, Adidas, has tweeted a picture of the boots he could be wearing for his final professional game. They feature today's date along with his children's names.

• Sport
• David Beckham